Which case set a precedent for the right to counsel for criminal defendants?

The case that established the precedent for the right to counsel for criminal defendants is Gideon v. Wainwright. This landmark Supreme Court decision in 1963 extended the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of counsel to state courts. The Court ruled that the right to counsel is a fundamental right essential to a fair trial, meaning that states are required to provide an attorney for defendants who cannot afford one in criminal cases.

This ruling was pivotal because it ensured that the right to legal representation is not just a privilege for those who can afford it, but a guaranteed right for all defendants, thereby reinforcing the principle of fairness in the judicial process. The impact of Gideon v. Wainwright can still be seen today in the legal system, highlighting the fundamental nature of legal representation in ensuring justice and upholding the rights of individuals accused of crimes.

In contrast, while Miranda v. Arizona also pertains to rights of defendants, it specifically addresses the requirement of informing individuals of their rights during police interrogations, not the right to an attorney in all criminal cases. Engel v. Vitale deals with school prayer and issues of the First Amendment, while Tinker v. Des Moines focuses on students' rights to free speech in schools, which are unrelated to the right to